October first week - Corning NY - Generally flat, if you are lucky and if it does not rain, has great fall color scenery. On race day in October it was a little troublesome with rain until the half way point but then it got a lot better in the second half.

Easy to start running because of small field. Can get a bit cold and wet. Got my turn to get going within 4 minutes of elite runners. I particularly liked that.

Because it is point to point can be a little complicated. No covered area at the start. Despite all these disadvantages a great race.

2. Richmond VA - November 10, 2012

Slightly hilly after mile 15, again fantastic scenery. 4 miles along the James River. The 4.50 hrs did not feel like torture at all. Easy to get to and start running. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Will run it again if I can.

I am partial to these two because I live in Northern Virginia and both of these are within driving distance. Also a big city race such as Marine Corps or Philly is way too crowded for my taste.

Both are considered fast marathons overall. You may want to seriously consider either one of these if you are open to travel to the Mid-Atlantic/ East Coast if you are not already there.

Good luck

I was in that same situation not too long ago. But both of those races within 6 weeks of each other turned out to be really great.

I ran my first in 1994...not a good one. Didn't train for it, and the only thing that got me through was youthful resilience. Horrible finishing time too, and it's taken 16 years to make me realise that you really should train for it

It's a bit late in your window, but Miami is a good one if you want flat. It's a double-loop course that first goes through the South Beach area, then goes through some of the nicer south-side suburbs. There are some small "hills" when the road crosses over a canal, but not many and nothing big (fifteen feet elevation - tops). (Of course the last one is only about a half-mile from the finish, which makes it tough.) On the down side, some people find it gets a little warmer than they like.

Raleigh's Cit of Oaks Marathon is also available in early November. It was wet and cold two years ago, but has generally been dry and comfortable. Not flat, just your typical "rolling" countryside with nothing too steep. You also get both an urban and a rural marathon in the same race - the first half circles through down-town, while the second half goes through Umpstead State Park on some of the smooth bridal trails.

If your log is accurate, I would say that this coming fall or winter is too soon! You'd better get crackin'!

FWIW, my first was Disneyworld, and after doing it again this year, I still think it makes a fine first marathon. They take good care of you (Disney knows how to move people around), there's a generous cut-off time, there are lots of beginners and slow people so you won't feel clueless or slow yourself! On the downside it's expensive and if you don't like crowds it won't be your cuppa joe.

My local marathon here in Fresno is a good choice as well: definitely not crowded (about 1,000 running the full marathon), the weather is almost always perfect, the course is pleasant enough, there's a hot breakfast, ice cream sundaes, beer and wine at the finish (I also like that you get a hooded sweatshirt at the finish), like Disney there's a generous cutoff, and the price is reasonable. The downside is, well, it's in Fresno, but as we say here, we're close to lots of cool places.

Ex runner

Jeff F

Free Beer

posted: 2/10/2012 at 12:27 PM

There are so many variables that would define a good marathon. I suggest you go to marathonguide.com and look at the schedule for your time period and read some reviews. Once you narrow it down, come back to RA and ask if anyone has any experience with the marathons you are thinking about and I am sure you will get some great feedback.